Articulated journal box lid



March 21, 1950 n. n. BRYANT 2,501,494

ARTICULATED JOURNAL BOX LID Filed Oct. .13, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 March21, 1950 o. D. BRYANT 501 5 I ARTICULATED JOURNAL BOX LID Filed 001;.13. 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 21, 1950 D. D. BRYANT ARTICULA'IV'EDJOURNAL BOX LID 3 SheetsSheet 3 Filed Oct. 13, 1947 Patented Mar. 21,1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ARTIOULATED JOURNAL BOX LID Donald D.Bryant, Huntington, W. Va.

Application October 13, 1947, Serial No. 779,608

20 Claims.

1 This invention is a novel articulated lock-seal lid adapted to befitted to journal boxes of standard freight car, passenger car, electriccar or rolling stock, which boxes contain a journal brass, packing andoil, the journal box being mounted upon a wheeled axle. The presentinvention is an improvement upon the lock-seal lid shown in myco-pending application, Serial No. 688,723, filed August 6, 1946, nowPatent No. 2,498,245 dated February 21, 1950.

The principal object of the invention is to provide an articulatedjournal box lid embodying certain novel features of constructionhereinafter set forth.

I will explain the invention with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, which illustrate several practical embodiments thereof, toenable others familiar with the art to adopt and use the same; and willsummarize in the claims the novel features of construction, and novelcombinations of parts, for which protection is desired.

In said drawings:

Figure 1 is a vertical section on the line l-l Fig. 2 through the outerend of a journal box, showing my novel articulated lid applied ther toand showing the lid in closed position.

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but showing the lid open.

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the projection lock detached.

Fig. 5 is a front elevation of the projection lock, shown in Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a front elevation similar to Fig. 2 but showing a modificationof the articulated lockseal lid.

Fig. '7 is a vertical section on the line l--'l, Fig. 6.

The drawings show my novel articulated lockseal lid applied to a journalbox for illustrativ purposes only.

As shown in Fig. 1, the standard journal box J has a rough-cast openouter end, over which opening my novel articulated lid is hingedlymounted, the opening being usually formed during the casting operationand left unfinished. Journal box J is provided with a standard hingelugJ l on its top above the open end, said hingelug J l being provided witha bore J2 for a pintle pin 2 for the lid, the top face of lug J lsloping inwardly and downwardly substantially normal to the open outerend of the journal box, as indicated as J3 (Figs. 1 and 3), while thefront face Jo or lug J l slopes substantially vertically, as shown inFigs. 1 and 3. standard construction as nearly all journal boxes havelugs formed in the above manner, and hence the journal box J forms nopart of my present invention.

Hingedly mounted upon the pintle pin 2 of the lug J l is a Y-shapedmember I, adapted to overlie the opening at the outer end of journal boxJ, said Y-shaped member I consisting of a resilient strip la disposedcentrally of the opening of the journal box lid, the same having aT-shaped head lb disposed at approximately the center of the opening ofthe journal box J, and having upwardly extending legs lc at the ends ofthe head lb, which legs lc terminate at their upper ends in outwardlyand downwardly extending loops ld, which loops terminate in cylindricaleyes le through which the pintle pin 2 extends, the eyes le beingdisposed at opposite sides of the lug J I By the above construction, theY-shaped member I is hin edly mounted upon the pintle pin 2, the loopsld resiliently urging the Y shaped member l toward the opening of thejournal box J when i the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

In order to maintain the Y-shaped member in the position shown in Figs.1 and 2, the lower end of the member la has a return band I terminatingin an eye lg, the outer end of which extends downwardly as at l h toform a hand-grip for unlocking the Y-shaped member I. Upon the outerface of journal box J, below the opening therein, is an L-shapedprojection lock 3 (Figs. 1, 3, 4 and 5) preferably welded thereto orcast thereon, said projection having a downwardly extending lip 3aadapted to overlie the eye lg when the Y-shaped member I is in theposition shown in Figs. 1 and 2, a roller 4 being journaled in the eyelg of Y-shaped member I so as to readily engage and disengage, frombelow, the lip 3a of projection lock 3. By the above construction, whenthe Y-shaped member I is in the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2, theroller 4 will underlie the lip 3a and will maintain the Y-shaped memberl yieldably across the opening of the journal box J assisted by theresiliency of the loops Id at the upper end of the legs lc of theY-shaped member I. When, however, the handle lh is pulled outwardly (tothe right, Fig. 1), the resiliency of the member Ia will permit theroller 4 to roll under the lower end of lip 3a and thereby unlock theY-shaped member I from its normal closed posi tion, so that the member Imay be swung upwardly into the position shown in Fig. 3, wherein same isdisposed at an angle of substantially to the ,The above lug Jl is openend of the journal box to permit ready packing or servicing of thejournal box J.

Mounted in an articulated manner upon the Y-shaped member I is aseparate lid member 5 of shape corresponding with that of the opening ofjournal box J, the same being preferably of somewhat larger area thansaid opening and having inturned peripheral flanges 512. On theunderside of lid 5 is a gasket retainer frame 6 of substantially thesame shape as the lid 5 but of smaller size, frame 6 being preferablywelded as as to to the lid 5. Frame 6 is provided with an out-turnedlip, as shown, extending towards the flanges 5c, and a replaceablegasket I of a yieldable oil-resistant rubber-like material or otheroil-resisting and pliable, yieldable material of shape corresponding tothat of frame 6 is stretched over the frame 6 and positioned between theflanges 5a of lid 5 and the flanges of frame 6, as shown in Figs. 1 and3. The gasket I is thus so disposed on the lid 5 that same will squarelycontact the walls of the journal box J around the opening therein, asclearly shown in Fig. 1 to effect an oil-tight seal notwithstanding therough finish of the box J around the opening. Gasket 'I is retained bythe flanges 5a and the flange of frame 6 so thatit'will remain in placewhen the lid is raised, but gasket I is readily changeable orreplaceable when the lid is open without removing the lid'from thejournal box J.

In order to secure lid 5 to the Y-shaped member I, a connecting .plate 8is provided, substantially of rectangular shape, plate-S overlying theT-shapedhead Ib and the upper end of member I a of the Y-shaped memberI, said plate 3 having its four corners depressed as at 8a, rivets 9passing through the depressed corners 8a and through the lid 5, as shownmore particularly in Fig. 2. By the above construction, the centralportions of the plate 8 are spaced from the lid 5 sufliciently to'permitthe upper end of leg Ia and the T-shaped head lb of Y-shaped member I toloosely fit between the plate 8 and the lid 5, so that the lid 5 issusceptible of appreciable lateral, longitudinal, and angular movementwith respect to the Y-shaped member I, limited by the clearance betweenthe central portion of plate 8 and lid 5. thus permittin the lid 5 toarticulate with respect to the Y-shaped member I.

The npper'end of plate 8 is offset outwardly to form a hood 8b, and itsupper'end extends be tween the legs 10 of Y-shaped' member I, but isspaced therefrom; and in the closed position of lid 5 (Fig. 1) the upperend of same slightly overlaps the upper face J3 of the hinge-lug J I butis spaced above said upper face J 3. Below the hood portion 81) of plate8 is a flat spring Ill, having a reverse bend Illa at itslower endsecuredby rivets I I or the like to the outer face of lid 5, said springI 0 having its upper outer end rounded as at Illb and lying opposite butslightly spaced from the outer vertical face J4 of hinge-lug JI when thelid 5 is in closed position shown in Fig. 1. When however lid 5 israised into position shown in Fig. 3, the rounded upper end It?) willride over the upper end of outer face J4 of hinge-lug J I and willyieldably contact the upper face J3 of hingelug J l, as shown in Fig. 3,the spring It being flexed upwardly in such position so that the springI ll, having its outer end flexed and seating upon the upper face J3 ofhinge-lug JI will hold the lid 5 in its raised position shown in Fig. 3,thereby eliminating the necessity of the serviceman from having to holdthe lid 5 open in order 4 to grease and check the condition of thejournal box J.

In order to pivot the lid 5 on the Y-shaped member I the lid 5, atapproximately its central point, is provided with an ofiset or raisedbutton 51, which underlies the T-shaped head Ib of Y- shaped member I,as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, said button 53: constantly contacting theunderside of said T-shaped base Ib and serving as a pivot point so thatthe articulated lid 5 may assume diiferent positions having a slightangularity with respect to the plane of the Y-shaped member I. Thus thearticulated lid 5 has a central button or bearing point 5m; also theY-shaped member I extends over this central button 53: and crosses thelid 5 itself, and forms the handle for raising or locking closed the lid5. When the lid 5 is closed the loops Id of hinges Is at the top of theY-shaped member I force the lid 5 shut, and the handle Ih looks it bymeans of roller 4 at the front, this action permitting the middlesection of the Y-shaped member I to rest on the center button 5a:formedor pressed outwardly in the lid 5, and thus permits the lidl5 toarticulate under car movement; also to articulate in event the open faceof the journal box becomes worn, or is not cast true or square with thepintle pin hole J2 of lug J also to articulate in event the lug J is notcast true or square with respect to the end face of journal box J; or toarticulate by reason of other casting irregularities which would preventthe lid 5 from properly seating itself. To overcome these slight castingflaws or faults, articulation of the lid 5 is desirable. Should acasting face be slightly out of square or true, the lid 5 byarticulation, i. e. tilting slightly about its central point, will seatitself to the irregular face to eiiectively seal the journal boxopening.

Air holes 571. may be drilled or punched in this lid 5 as desired by thepurchaser, the holes being drilled or punched through the lid 5 properand covered by the hood 8?) which acts as a cover or shield for the airholes to prevent dirt or moisture from entering the journal box J, yetallowing air to circulate from the journal box under the hood 8b to theatmosphere. The hood interior may be filled with hair or fiber to act asa dust filter if desired.

A round steel ball may be fitted or otherwise seated into the raisedcenter button 53; of the lid, so that the projecting portion of thesteel ball may contact the T-shaped base lb of the Y- shaped member Ifacilitating articulation.

In the construction shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the Y-shaped locking memberI is shown as applied to the lock-seal lid shown in my co-pendingapplication Serial No. 688,723, filed August 6, 1946, similar partsbeing similarly numbered. In this modification, the lid'or-cover 5 isarticulated with respect to the Y-shaped locking member I which latteris hingedly mounted as at Id, Ie to pintle pin 2, as in theprecedingfigures, the articulating means consisting of the plate 8 which looselyembraces the base lb of the'Y-shaped member -I and is secured thereto'bythe rivets '9 as'inthe preceding figures. However, the gasket securingframe 6 is omitted, but'the lid or cover 5 is provided with theperipheral flanges 5a., and the lid or cover 5 carries the spring I0riveted thereto as in the preceding figures.

In this modification, a frame 29 (Fig. '7) of shape corresponding withthe opening in'the end of journal box J is provided'across the open endthereof, the same carrying on its inner face a gasket 2| secured-thereonin any desired manner and contacting the end of the journal box aroundthe opening, as in my co-pending application Serial No. 688,723. Theframe carries on its outer face a gasket 22 (Fig. 7,) extending beyondthe outer face thereof, gasket 22 being engaged directly by the innerface of the cover or lid 5 when the lid is closed, as shown in Fig. 7.Frame 20 is provided at its upper end with eyes 20a (Fig. 6) which aredisposed between the hood 8b and the eyes le of Y-shaped member I, asclearly shown in Fig. 6, the eyes receiving the pintle pin- 2 and beingconnected with the frame it by means of strips 20b which are resilientso as to maintain the upper portion of frame 20 in firm contact with theend of the journal box around .the opening therein.

At the lower end of frame 20 is a resilient tongue 26c which enters theopening in the journal box and has its outer end 20d engaged with theinside of the journal box so as to resiliently hold the lower end offrame 20 in firm contact with the open end of the journal box around theopening therein. By the above construction, the frame 2!! will bemaintained in firm contact with the journal box, and the gasket 2| willefiectively seal the joint between frame 20 and the journal box at alltimes. When the lid or cover 5 is in closed position, shown in Fig. '7,the gasket 22 will form a seal between the frame 20 and the cover 5.

In this modification, the projecting lug 3 shown in Figs. 3, 4, and 5 isomitted.- However, the leg la of Y-shaped member 1 is formed in the samemanner shown in the preceding figures, the same having the return bend lf and the handle portion ih with the roller 4 journaled therein, butroller ticulated thereto, to be raised into raised posi-,

tion, while the frame .20 will remain in the position shown in Fig. '7in which position the frame 20 will not obstruct proper servicing of thejournal box when the cover 5 is raised.

I do not limit my invention to the exact form shown in the drawings, forobviously changes may be made therein within the scope of the claims.

I claim:

1. An articulated lock-seal lid for journal boxes or the like having anend opening and having a hinge lug on its top above said openingcarrying a horizontally disposed pintle pin, comprising a resilientmember having resilient loops at the upper ends of its upper legsterminating in eyes engaging the pintle pin at opposite sides of thelug, said loops resiliently urging the upper end of the member towardsthe opening of the journal box; said member being adapted in oneposition to overlie said opening; means on the lower end of the memberfor maintaining the member positioned across the opening; a cover platemounted on the said member for articulated movement with respect theretoand adapted in one position to close said opening; and means on theplate adapted to engage the top of the hinge lug when the plate andmember are swung upwardly to hold same in such position. v

2. In a lid as set forth in claim 1, said member being Y-shaped.

lip and eye forming said maintaining means; and 7 said lower 'legcontinuing downwardly below said eye.

4. In a lid as set forth in claim 1, a locking lug on said journal boxbelow the opening having a downwardly extending lip; said lower leg ofthe member having a return bend terminating in an eye underlying thelip, said member continuing downwardly below said eye; and a rollerjournaled in the eye adapted .to contact the rear face of the lip whenthe lid is closed; said lip and roller forming said maintaining means.

5. In a lid as set forth in claim 1, an open frame across said openinghaving eyes at its upper end engaged by said pintle pin, and having atongue at its lower end entering the opening and resiliently engagingthe inner wall of the journal box; the lower leg of the member having areturn bend terminating in an eye underlying the lower end of the frameand adapted to contact the rear face thereof'when the member is swungdownwardlyacross the opening; said eye forming said maintaining means;and'said lower leg continuing downwardly below said eye.

6. In a lid as set forth in claim 1, said plate being disposed at theinner face .of the member; a connecting plate having its central portionofiset outwardly to loosely cover the central portion of the member,said connecting plate being secured at its corners to the first plate;and said first plate having an outwardly extending button normallycontacting the central portion of the member and forming the pivot pointthereof.

'7. In a lid as set forth in claim 6, said connecting plate having anoutwardly offset hood portion extending from'its upper edge curved tooverlie the hinge lug; .and said holding means comprising a fiat steelspring secured to the first plate at its inner end beneath the hood andhaving its outer end adapted to engage the hinge lug only when the lidis open.

8. In a lid as set forth in. claim 7, a breather hole inthe first platebelow the hood of the connecting plate.

9. An articulated lock-seal lidfor journal boxes or the like having anend opening and having .a hinge lug on its top above said openingcarrying a horizontally disposed pintle pin, comp-rising a resilientmember having resilient loops at the upper ends of its upper legsterminating in eyes engaging the pintle pin at opposite sides of thelug, said loops resiliently urging the upper end of the member towardsthe opening of the journal box; said member being adapted in oneposition to overlie said opening; means on the lower end of the memberfor maintaining the member positioned across the opening; a cover platemounted on the said member for articulated movement with respect theretoand adapted in one position to close said opening; and means on theplate adapted to engage the top of the hinge lug when the plate andmember are swung upwardly to hold same in such position, said platehaving resilient eyes at its upper end engaged by the pintle pin anddisposed at opposite sides of the hinge lug.

10. An articulated lock-seal lid for journal boxes or the like having anend opening and having a hinge lug on its top above said opening 7 acarrying a horizontally disposed pintle pin, said lug having asubstantially horizontal top face, said lid comprising a-resilientmember having resilient loops at the upper "ends of its upper legsterminating in eyes engaging the pintle pin at opposite sides of thelug; said loops resiliently urging the upper endlof the member towardsthe opening of the journal box; said member'being adapted in oneposition to overlie the said opening; means on the'lower end of themember for eyieldably maintaining the member positioned across theopening; a cover plate mounted on the said member for articulatedmovement with respect thereto and adapted in onexpcsition to close saidopening; and means on the plate adapted to yieldably engage the top faceof the hinge lug when the plateand member are swung upwardly to hold theplate and member in such position.

11. In a lid as set forth in claim 10, said member being Y-shaped.

112. In a lid as set forth in claim 10, a locking lug on said journalbox below the opening having a downwardly extending lip; said lower legof the member having a return bend terminating in an eye underlying thelip adapted to contact the rear face of the lip when the lid is closed,said lip and eye forming said maintaining means and said lower legcontinuing downwardly below said eye.

13. In a lid as set forth in claim 10, a locking lug on said journal boxbelow the. opening having a downwardly extending lip; saidlower leg ofthe member having a return bend terminating in an eye underlying thelip, said member continuing downwardly below said eye; and a rollerjournaled in the eye adapted to contact the rear face of the lip whenthe lid is closed, said lip and roller forming said maintaining means.

14. In a lid as set forth in claim 10, anopen frame across said openinghaving eyes at its upper end engaged by said pintle pin, and having atongue at its lower end entering the opening and resiliently engagingthe inner wall of the journal box; the lower leg of the member having areturn bend terminating in an eye underlying the lower end of the frameand adapted to contact the rear face thereof when themember is swungdownwardly across the opening; said eye forming said maintaining means;and said lower leg-continuing downwardly below said eye.

15. In a lid as set forth'in claim 10, said'plate being disposed at theinner face of the member; a-connecting plate having its central portionoffset outwardly to loosely cover the central portion of the member,said connecting plate being securedat its corners to the first plate;and said first plate having an outwardly extending button normallycontacting the central portion of 8 the member and forming the-pivotpoint thereof.

16. In a lid asset forth in claim 15, said connecting plate having anoutwardly offset hood portion extending from its upper edge curved tooverlie the hinge lug; and said holding means comprising a flat steelspring securedto the first plate at its inner end'beneath the hood andhaving its outer end adapted to engage the hinge lug only when thelid isopen.

17. An articulated lock-seal lid for journal boxes or the like having anend opening and having a hinge lug on its top above said openingcarrying a horizontally disposed pintle pin comprising a Y-shapedresilient member having resilient loops at the upper ends of its upperlegs ter-\ minating in eyes engaging the pintle pin at opposite sides ofthe lug and adapted in one position to overlie the said opening; meanson the lower end of the member for yieldably maintaining the memberpositioned across the opening; and a plate mounted on the said memberfor articulated movement with respect thereto and adapted in oneposition to close said opening.

18. In a lid asset forth in claim 17, said plate being disposed-at theinner face of the member; a connecting plate having its central portionoffset outwardly to loosely cover the central portion of the member,said connecting plate being secured at its corners to the first plate;and said first plate having an outwardly extending button normallycontacting the central portion of the member and forming the pivot pointthereof.

19. In a lid as set forth in claim 18, said connecting plate having anoutwardly oifset hood portion extending from its upper edge curved tooverlie the hinge lug; and said holding means comprising a fiat steelspring secured to the first plate at itsinner end beneath the hood andhaving its outer end adapted to engage the hinge lug only when the lidis open.

20. In a lid as set forth in claim 17, a locking lug on said journal boxbelow the opening and having a downwardly extending lip; said lower legof the memberhaving a return bend terminating in an eye underlying thelip, said member continuing downwardly below said eye; and a rollerjournaled in the eye adapted to contact the rear face of the lip whenthe lid is closed, said lip and roller forming said maintaining means.

DONALD D. BRYANT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,259,448 Barrows Oct. 21, 1941

